2 April 2020
In July, the NHS in Somerset saw the introduction of 13 Primary Care Networks (PCNs). These are groups of GP practices in networks of up to 50,000 patients. Frome Medical Centre, with 29,000 patients, is large enough to form a single PCN, whilst a new network covering 36,000 patients is being created for Shepton Mallet, Beckington, Oakhill and Coleford.
The NHS lost almost 900 full-time GPs between December 2016 and 2018. Reasons include a disastrous decision by the coalition Government in 2010 to reduce number of professional training places, the recent fiasco over changes to pension rules causing doctors to increasingly limit their hours or take early retirement, and significantly increased stress levels.
The aim of PCNs is to introduce a wider range of less costly staff into primary care. Instead of always seeing a doctor or practice nurse, you may be directed to a physiotherapist, clinical pharmacist, social prescribing link worker, physician associate or paramedic. This professional may well be able to meet your need as well as or better than your GP. Unfortunately there is also a shortage of these professionals so it will be interesting to see how successful recruitment will be.
The Green Party believes that the NHS should be properly funded and free at the point of use. Whilst we would welcome a wider range of services to be provided from local community health centres, we are clear that these should be in addition to and not a replacement for our existing GPs.
Cllr Alison Barkshire
Ammerdown ward